All Medals

References:   ANS 33

References:   MACo 1963-001-039, GANYU 39

The medal's obverse bears a Native American in full headdress, standing in pose of supplication with arms held out, facing right towards a European sailing ship. Around top, THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED COMMERCE; at bottom, SALVE

Around and across, FOUNDERS SOUVENIR / OF / THIS / NEW KIND OF STORE / JOHN WANAMAKER / PHILADELPHIA / · 1906 · /  THIRTIETH ANIVERSARY

The circular medal measures 30.4mm in diameter and was struck in silver-plated bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Harvey S. Firestone, facing. To left and right, HARVEY S. / FIRESTONE - FOUNDER

The reverse bears ten scenes relating to Firestone's business arrayed around center field, from rubber tapping at top, to various vehicles, chemical reaction vessels, to airplane.  In centerfield, 50 YEARS / OF / FIRESTONE / SERVICE / 1900 - 1950

Harvey S. Firestone (1868-1938) was an American businessman, and the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, one of the first global makers of automobile tires.

After graduating from Columbiana High School, Firestone worked for the Columbus Buggy Company in Columbus, Ohio before starting his own company in 1890, making rubber tires for carriages. In 1900 he soon saw the huge potential for marketing tires for automobiles and then founded the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, a pioneer in the mass production of tires.

Dick Johnson reports that the medal's obverse was designed by Jeno Juszko but the reverse was designed by Don de Lue! Based on the reverse's subject matter and the style I would have guessed Rene Chambellan, but never Don de Lue.

The medal's edge is drilled at top and bottom so that it can be installed in a spinner, which was a popular display style for industrial commemoratives in the middle of the 20th century.

The circular medal measures 69.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1950-016

The uniface medallion's obverse bears aproned man standing at little stove with boiling pot, stretching rubber between is hands. To left and around, 10 / YEAR - OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS; in exergue, DISCOVERY OF VULCANIZATION / OF RUBBER BY / CHARLES GOODYEAR / 1839; signed to right of stove, (RC monogram)

Charles Goodyear is usually credited with the modern discovery of vulcanization of rubber, though Thomas Hancock of Boston received a patent for vulcanized rubber 8 weeks before Goodyear did and the two were in bitter litigation at one point. Though losing the patent suit he had brought in England, he prevailed as a business man. In 1860 he traveled to New York to see his dying daughter but upon finding that he had arrived too late he collapsed and died shortly thereafter. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded by Frank Seiberling almost four decaades after his death.

This is the 10 year version of Rene Chambellan's Goodyear series of medallions. All of these medallions came mounted to a wooden board to be hung in offices or shops that were selling Goodyear product.

The circular medallion measures 108mm and is struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1948-041-001

References:   BG 41

This medal's obverse bears upper body of colonial soldier wearing tricorne and holding musket. At left, 1776 / (ANS seal); at right, 1976; signed at bottom, Americo

The reverse bears Liberty pole with ribbons attached; at lower right, the seal of Ne York State. On ribbons, Liberty / New York State American Revolution / Bicentennial / 1776 1976

This medal was the 51st official medal issued by the American Numismatic Society in 1976.  It was struck in six different variants.  Five variants were struck by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut, the silver proof variant as struck by the Franklin Mint.  Beyond sponsoring the design competition in 1972, the American Numismatic Society really had limited input into and no control of the production of this medal. No mintages are reported for any of the variants.  At least the bronze pieces are very common and the the silver pieces don't seem to be too uncommon. The only rare variant is probably the gold 25mm piece which I have only seen at auction once in five years.

References:   ANS 51

The medal's obverse bears bust of Choate left. Around left edge, CHOATE; at lower right, signed H. A.

The reverse bears oil lamp of Century Association above, surrounded by C - A; circled ANS oak leaves below; laurels around. In center field, JOSEPH HODGES CHOATE / 1832 - 1917 / PATRIOT / AMBASSADOR / JURIST / ORATOR

Joseph Hodges Choate, born in Salem, Massachusetts, was a famous lawyer who litigated many of the most prominent cases in the late 19th century. He allied himself with the Republican Party and was a frequent campaign orator. In 1894 he was president of the New York State constitutional convention. In 1899 he was appointed ambassador to England by President McKinley and held that position until 1905. When World War I broke out he became a fervent supporter of the Allied cause. His death in 1917 was hastened by the physical strain of supporting the British and French commissions in New York.

Herbert Adams was a personal friend of Joseph Choate.

This medal was co-issued by the Century Association and the American Numismatic Society (ANS) in 1922. It was the 44th medal issued by the ANS. It was also the first in a series of medals commemorating men who distinguished themselves in public service.

The medal measures 64mm (2.5in) in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York struck 238 pieces in bronze and 98 in silver. Originally the bronze pieces were available for $5 and the silver pieces for $10.

References:   ANS 44, Baxter 224, MACo 1922-022, Marqusee 2

The medal's obverse bears busts of Martin L. Beistle, Henry E. Luhrs and J.S. Omwake. Around top, M.L. BEISTLE FOUNRER. H.E.LUHRS BUILDER. J.S. OMWAKE INCORPORATOR.; in exergue, THE BEISTLE COMPANY / FIFTIETH - ANNIVERSARY / 1900-1950

The medal's reverse bears selection of company's products, including toys and combed tissue decorations. In center field, TO FRIENDS OF / THE BEISTLE COMPANY / IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR / LOYALTY AND SUPPORT / WHICH MADE POSSIBLE OUR / FIFTY YEARS / OF SERVICE AND GROWTH / 1900 - 1950

The Beistle Company was founded in 1900 by Martin Luther Beistle.  Working in the basement of his home near Pittsburgh, he produced small imprints and calendars. The company still exists today.

The circular medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-002